As if a closely fought general election was not enough, Britain has set in for the second "Great Kate Wait" with no sign of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's second child over the Bank Holiday weekend.
William and Kate's baby will be fourth in line to the throne, the Queen's fifth great-grandchild and a younger brother or sister for Prince George. His or her arrival is edging closer to the General Election just one week away.
Kate was expecting to give birth in mid to late April, but she is several days overdue.
The crowd outside St Mary;s Hospital, where Kate will give birth, has been growing.
Terry Hutt, one of the devoted supporters who have been camped there for 10 days, is celebrating his 80th birthday.
Mr Hutt said if the baby was born today it would be a "great birthday present". On spending his birthday waiting for the baby, he said: "What a way to do it."
Mr Hutt said he thought Kate and William might acknowledge his birthday after they sent breakfast pastries to their loyal fans earlier in the week.
"Possibly I might get a cake," he said. "Today it would be a surprise and all I can say is, I'm going to enjoy today. Hopefully the baby comes."
Mr Hutt has a package of knitted red, white and blue booties, a hat, a little cardigan and a £5 note for the new prince or princess, as well as a money box with £5 in it for George.
Meanwhile, it is business as usual for the rest of the royal family. The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are carrying out a joint engagement at Windsor Castle, where the monarch and Charles will present new colours to the Welsh Guards.
William and Kate celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary quietly yesterday at Kensington Palace, as well as taking time for a visit to Buckingham Palace.
Speculation is mounting that Kate has been swimming in the pool at the Queen's residence, which is used by the Royal Family and household staff, to help bring on labour naturally.
Fewer than one in 20 women give birth on their due date. On the NHS, induction is offered to women who are 10 to 12 days overdue.
The royal baby has captured the imagination of punters who are increasingly favouring Charlotte as the name a girl may be given.
Alice had been the most backed name, but Paddy Power has now made the female version of Charles their favourite after a string of bets, cutting the odds from 7/1 down to 9/4.
King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, actor Leslie Grantham and actress Kirsten Dunst were all born on April 30, as was the late Queen Juliana of the Netherlands. April 30 this year is also the 40th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.